fall crops

The star by far of the last planting of brassicas, that mostly didn't size up in time for market or CSA, is without at doubt this unusual Nero Di Toscana strap kale. This Italian heirloom, apparently from Tuscany, is hardly better looking than the cold-beaten rest of the … [Read more...] about In the cold garden

Harvested a few tiny (tennis ball to softball-sized, like, orange to grapefruit...little ones!) cauliflower from the last-planted section of brassicas that also has kale and broccoli. It's still producing in home-consumption quantities, but with the exception of some strap kale, … [Read more...] about Tiny fall cauliflower tastes good

After a good weeding and another round of rainy days, the fall brassicas are pretty well on their own. It's amazing how quickly growth slows down in September—what a difference the sun pulling away makes! The kale and collards are doing fine—we'll be harvesting some Red Russian … [Read more...] about Fall crop watch

Not much to look at, yet, but the last plantings of 50-day-plus fall crops are doing fine. Here, carrots and, protected from flea beetles by floating row cover, one of two sections of brassicas, including broccoli, cauliflower and kale. There's a bit of timing risk here, … [Read more...] about Fall crops

These brassica seedlings—broccoli, cauliflower, kale, early-maturing cabbage—were started a week ago, way late by any planting guide standard for our region, but I'm going by the reality of our recent crazy weather. Last year's "late" cabbage family seedlings did just fine, so … [Read more...] about Last of the season’s brassicas